Sitting at my desk and noticed the “Trust” rock I wrote about several posts ago. It’s funny how, in years, I have rarely turned the rock over. I never had a reason to until today. After picking it up, I noticed a bit of white paint peaking around the side, so I flipped it over. I forgot that I had written “Encouragement!!” on the other side. Now, I really want to know the full story about the rock. What was the assignment that day, and why did I write encouragement on the other side instead of something else? Life is truly interesting. I have to do better at leaving myself notes. Lol
This is the Facebook memory I shared with my other post.Here’s the front of rock today (7 years later).Here’s the backside.
All I can think of is I must have known I would need encouragement to rebuild trust.
Or maybe the two aren’t even related. Perhaps I just needed encouragement.
God is always working and moving, even when it appears He’s not. Here are a few memories from April 7th.
April 7, 2022and 2018
This is a photo of a rock I painted at the same conference held four years earlier, April 7, 2018. “Trust” was one of my biggest barriers to moving forward. I had lost trust in almost every aspect of my life—family, job, profession, and myself. I was at ‘rock’ bottom and in the process of figuring out how to rebuild the trust I once had in those areas, as well as in unfamiliar areas I was tapping into.On April 7, 2022, at the same conference mentioned above, I was presented with an award for Nutritionist of the Year. I had no idea I was receiving an award and had left the conference to check out of my hotel room. I remember receiving texts from several colleagues congratulating me and asking where I was.🤦🏽♀️😅
April 7, 2024
This photo was taken last year on April 7, 2024, at our state dietetics’ conference. It was the day my colleagues learned I had decided to run for president-elect again. These ladies have been by my side throughout my entire dietetics career—almost 20 years. They are my rocks!
In 2018, I was going through a weird phase in my career and wanted change. I needed it! I was losing confidence and trust in the work I was doing and in myself. So, a few months after the conference, I enrolled in a doctoral program to pursue a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree. I had already been working in community and public health nutrition, so it seemed like the logical move at the time. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, I needed a change. That was 2018.
Three years later (2021), I took a leap to become a full-time, independent consultant. That was around the end of the pandemic. At that time, I hadn’t seen my colleagues in person for over a year, so I felt pretty isolated. However, it was also during that time that I decided to promote our profession and my colleagues on my social media platform, Mississippi Thriving. I wanted Mississippians to know who we were and what our contributions were to improving our citizens’ health. So, I reached out to our dietitians asking if they’d be willing to be showcased on Mississippi Thriving’s “RDN Saturdays” (something I came up with early one morning🤷🏽♀️☺️), and several agreed! Hence, one of the reasons for the award I received.
Looking back, I’ve actually done a lot more than I thought over the past ten years. In no way am I bragging. I’m only acknowledging my accomplishments. For the longest time, I’ve felt like my life’s been stagnant, but in reality, it’s been moving. God’s been moving!
Y’all, I can’t say it enough, I am truly, truly blessed.🥰
Many, many moons ago, I closed my emails with—“Trust + Patience = Peace. Enjoy Life💖”
Today, I’m sitting here wondering what made me write that. What made me put trust and patience together? Why did I believe the two would equal peace? Then, I ended it with “Enjoy Life💖” Unfortunately, I can’t find any mention of it in my journals. It was just something I chose. And I kept that closing for years. I’m not even sure when I changed it. It’s definitely one of those things that make you go “Hmmm.”
Anyhoo…
A little while ago, I decided to take a break and draw. It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve drawn anything. Yesterday, I received a plant after my presentation. I used it as inspiration—and inspiration only—don’t judge.😅
*** Had to come back and add this—which really could have been the reason behind the closing. As soon as I shared this post, the Winans song, “Trust In God” started playing in my head. Could that have been the inspiration? Wow! Okay… I’m done.☺️♥️
God’s purpose is much greater than us. We’re only the vessels He’s chosen to use to achieve it.
Honestly, I have no idea what God’s purpose for my life is; however, I do know my purpose is to allow Him to use me as He sees fit. Whatever His purpose is, it’s greater than me. It’s my hope that along my life’s journey, others will see God through me and choose to allow Him to use them, too. Believe me, the love, joy, and peace He provides is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. It’s real.
Okay… let me end here before I start sounding like I’m trying to get y’all to join a cult.😅 But honestly, there’s nothing like residing in God’s presence.
That’s all I have for now. I pray your day is going well.♥️
Before the night ends, I want to share one more Facebook memory with you. It’s a reminder that you are so much more than people want YOU to believe. They know who you are but don’t want you to know who you are. Ha! But you already do! You know who you are and what your purpose is. Continue walking in your assignment while allowing God to guide your footsteps. You got this!♥️
It’s Shaun’s World 
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